Recently, I have been very into doing just about every small habit that has the potential to improve my life. I’m constantly coming across new ideas on TikTok that can help bring me back to reality when feeling anxious or even help prevent overwhelming feelings of anxiety. I’m constantly trying to better myself, so I will try just about any of these, and this is my review.
Cold Showers
Taking cold showers has been something that I recently started doing. I find that it helps to ground myself, especially when I am feeling overwhelmed and anxious. At first, it was really hard to get used to the cold water, but over time I have gotten more and more used to it. Sometimes, if I don’t want to take an entire cold shower, I will just turn the temperature down for the last few minutes, and I still feel the benefits. I would honestly recommend trying. Ever since I first implemented this habit, I have found myself wanting to go take a cold shower when I am feeling anxious, and I can honestly say that I feel more relaxed after doing so.
Monitoring Heart Rate
When I’m in a state of panic, it can be hard for me to simply tell myself that I need to take deep breaths to calm down. To figure out when I feel better, in accordance to deep breathing, is very difficult for me because I’m a logic and fact based person. Without having something concrete in front of me, telling me that what I am doing is working, makes it difficult for me to even do it at all. Recently, it was recommended to me that I monitor my heart rate on my watch while I practice mindful breathing. To do this, I set a goal heart rate in my head, and breathe until I get to it. As a very fact-based person, this has honestly helped me so much because watching as well as feeling my heart rate lower shows me that what I’m doing is helping.
Shake it out
It’s is recommended that when you’re feeling anxious to go move your body, but sometimes when you’re stuck in anxiety paralysis, it feels next to impossible to get up and exercise. I often find myself feeling like I have so much anxious energy built up within my body that I need to move, but feeling so paralyzed at the same time that I physically can’t. It does sound silly, but literally standing up and “shaking it out” can help. I usually start by shaking one leg, then the other, followed by my arms. Doing this allows you to get up and release some anxious energy without facing the paralysis that can be associated with doing an overwhelming task when you’re already feeling anxious.
Honestly, these three habits have changed how I approach feeling anxious. Having dealt with anxiety for so much of my life and going through what feels like every coping technique in the books, I have found that these have worked the best for me. Everyone is different, and different things work for everybody, but I honestly haven’t heard these three talked about that much, and I would recommend giving them a try!!